The following is a glimpse of life as a transfer student through the eyes of students who have already made the transition.
Read on to discover advice and experiences of transfer students from a variety of majors and backgrounds.
MADELINE
MAJOR: Nursing
HOMETOWN: Battle Lake, Minnesota
TRANSFERRED FROM: M-State, Fergus Falls
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE NDSU?
I transferred from a small community college, where the resources weren’t as readily available. NDSU’s technology, resources and diverse class options made it my top choice.
TIPS FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS:
Use free tutoring offered by ACE. NDSU offers one-on-one tutoring and small group study sessions. They made understanding difficult concepts easy to understand through different learning styles.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE ON ADAPTING TO NDSU?
Get involved with student organizations and be flexible. I always promised myself I wouldn’t change my major, but after volunteering in a lab, I realized I loved being around others. I joined several medical-related organizations on campus and quickly decided to change my major to nursing. I was not used to seeing so many students around campus; after joining organizations and clubs and seeing familiar faces and friends, I knew I belonged here, making it easy to call NDSU home.
JASON
MAJOR: Accounting
HOMETOWN: Elk Point, South Dakota
TRANSFERRED FROM: Western Iowa Tech Community College
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE NDSU?
NDSU offers an accounting program; has the resources I find necessary for success in school, such as a full-featured library, tutoring and helpful administration; and is located in a city I wanted to live in, with access to many opportunities.
WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS?
Focus on timeliness. Find out the deadlines and then fulfill them early to maximize time available for the transfer process steps, such as admittance, credit evaluation and class registration availability.
DESCRIBE YOUR TRANSFER EXPERIENCE:
My experience was very smooth. The admission office was quick to get my admission decision and transfer credit report back to me, which allowed me to know where I stood in terms of degree progress and to register for classes while there still was availability.
AURORA
MAJOR: Nursing
HOMETOWN: Fargo, North Dakota
TRANSFERRED FROM: University of Pittsburgh
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE NDSU?
College is an investment in your future, and I wanted to make sure I put myself in the best possible position to succeed. I was born and raised in Fargo, and I’ve always known that NDSU provides the resources of a large university while also having the close-knit feel of a small college. That was important to me. I knew I wanted an affordable, top-notch education with an environment that was supportive and conducive to personal and academic growth. That’s NDSU.
TIPS FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS:
Advisers provide exceptional career advice and facilitate networking with working professionals.
DESCRIBE YOUR TRANSFER EXPERIENCE:
Transferring to NDSU was one of the best decisions I have made in my educational career. NDSU has an excellent reputation and students have access to amazing internship opportunities, study abroad trips and advisers who are active in their professions. Instructors got to know me personally, not just my name, but they know about my goals and aspirations. All of that made my choice to transfer to NDSU an easy one.
KASHA
MAJOR: Business Management
HOMETOWN: Waconia, Minnesota
TRANSFERRED FROM: Normandale Community College
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE NDSU?
NDSU offers a great business program. They also have such a positive and exciting atmosphere. I knew I would get the college experience I was looking for.
WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS?
Stay in contact with your advisor. He or she can help direct you to whoever you may need throughout the year. Also, don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Be open and accepting. There always is so much going on around you, and if you let yourself experience it, you will feel so welcomed.
WHAT WAS YOUR TRANSFER EXPERIENCE LIKE?
I had a great experience. I stayed in contact with my transfer advisor and he answered all of my questions. I also made sure to get involved. I came in wanting to experience everything possible, so I forced myself to go to club meetings and events. I felt very welcomed and I love how much Bison pride everyone has on campus. It is one of the most amazing things I have been part of.
ADVICE ON ADAPTING TO NDSU:
· Talk with new people, stay active and join as many activities and clubs as your schedule allows. This is a great way to learn the area, meet people and adapt to the NDSU experience. – Madeline
· Learn the campus. Print a map and take a tour. Find out what each building has to offer. Go to one of the many introduction events hosted by the school. Become acclimated with the bus system. It is a great resource for getting around campus quickly and easily. – Jason
· Go to as many events as you can. Give everything a try and figure out what you like from there. Visit your professors during office hours. This has been the most helpful way for me to be successful. – Kasha
For more information or to apply, visit our transfer page.